Milk can container



Nov. 3, 1953 c. c. CIQIPPEN 2,657,828

MILK CAN CONTAINER Filed Oct. 17, 1949 Inventor C/qudg 6. Crippen Patented Nov. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MILK CAN CONTAINER Claude C. Crippen, Arlington, Fla. Application October 17, 1949, Serial No. 121,809

11 Claims. 222 83.5)

This invention relates to novel and useful improvements in holders and dispensers for canned or packaged articles of food, such as milk.

An object or this invention is to support a container having milk or other substance therein on an elevator, which elevator is carried by and within a receptacle, the elevator being operable vertically by means of a handle which is pivoted to the receptacle, whereby the elevator may be raised and lowered by operation of the handle and upon raising the elevator with a container thereon, a simultaneous operation is performed, namely, the piercing of the can in two places, one place communicating with a spout, while the other place communicates with an air vent member.

Another object of this invention is to valve the air vent member and the spout member simultaneously. A still further object of this invention is to insure proper sealing of the spout and air vent member by employing a pair of resilient bushings or gaskets which are slidable on the spout and air vent member in response to urging force by the container as it is being lifted by the elevator.

Ancillary objects and features will become apparent in following the description of the illustrated form of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure l and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a transverse view taken substan tially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 and in the direction of the arrows.

The receptacle I9 is made of any suitable material, as metal, commercial plastic or the like. A spout housing E2 is formed adjacent the top of the receptacle accommodating the spout member M.

A vent member l5 which is quite similar in construction to the spout member I4, that is, a tube, is secured to the top part of the receptacle l8 and has its bore opening through the receptacle. A sharpened end portion 58 is provided at the lower end of the spout member It, while a sharpened end portion is provided adjacent the lower end or" the vent member i6.

A valve case 22 which is in the form of a rectangular housing is disposed in the receptacle and passes through the members I4 and 16 respectively, with free passage allowed for the bores of each. A valve 24 is reciprocatively dis posed in the case 22. A valve opening 25 is formed in the valve 25 to regulate the bore of the member l6, while the end 28 of the valve 24 is cut at an angle to match with the angularity of the spout member M at the junction of the member M with the case 22.

A spring 3Q concentric with the guide pin 32 is disposed in the case 22 reacting on the inner surface. of the receptacle l0. A thumb operated handle or button 34 is secured to the pin 32. Accordingly, manual valve operation is obvious.

The front wall 40 of the receptacle is actually a closure in that it is hinged at 42 to the remainder of the receptacle H]. A swinging type latch i4 is secured to the receptacle l0 andis operative in connection with the closure 49. This allows access to the interior of the receptaclelll.

Thelower part of the receptacle may be formed with integral feet 46 or other types of feet may be employed. Also, it is obvious that thelfeet may be omitted, they being used mainly for decorative purposes.

An elevator is disposed in the housing N). This elevator consists of a bottom plate 63 with vertical members 58 and 52 respectively pivoted thereto and extending upwardly. These vertical members have means at the top thereof for clampingly engaging the milk container 5 3. This means consists of the bent end portions or projections 56 and 58 respectively (Figure 2) overlying the top of the container 54.

A larger number of vertical members similar to those indicated at 56 and 52 may be employed, however, it has been found that a larger number is unnecessary.

A yoke 60 has trunnions 62 and 64 at its ends which are pivoted to the vertical members 59 and 52. This yoke has its inner end secured to the handle 68. The said handle 68 is pivoted in a suitable bearing 70 on the receptacle Ill. The handle serves a dual capacity. The first is to act in the nature of a handle and the second is to act in the nature of an operator for the elevator since it is operatively connected with the yoke.

The lower end of the handle 58 has an inwardly extending shank 2 with a lug l t fixed thereto. This lug is removably disposed in an opening Z5 formed in the side raised portion 18 of th receptacle. A friction lock results. Accordingly, the handle 63 may be locked in place on the side of the receptacle or may be pulled outwardly to operate the elevator, the pivot pin 39 for the handle serving as a pivot axis.

To insure proper sealing of the top of the container, a pair of resilient gaskets 84 and 86 respectively are slidably disposed on the members is and II. When the container 54 i lifted with the elevator, the sharp ends I8 and of the members I and I6 pierce the top of the container. The can then pushes the rather tightly fitting gaskets 84 and B6 upwardly so that they seal tightly against the top of the container or can.

When the handle 68 is raised, the elevator is caused to be lowered, thereby removing the can from the members l4 and 16.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. A creamer comprising a receptacle, a container supporting elevator disposed in said receptacle and an outlet spout secured to said receptacle having an inner sharpened end to penetrate the container, means pivoted to said receptacle for lifting said elevator to press the container piercingly against said sharpened end, said means comprising a handle, a locking device operatively connected with said handle and said receptacle releasably holding said handle in such position as to retain said elevator in the raised position, an air vent member secured to said receptacle and having a sharp end to penetrate the container, a valve carried by said receptacle for alternately closing and opening said vent member and said outlet spout, said elevator having means forming a part thereof for gripping the top of the container so that when the elevator is moved away from said spout and vent member, the container is pulled from said spout and said outlet member.

2. A creamer comprising a receptacle, a handle pivoted to said receptacle and having a terminal portion extending into the interior of the receptacle, a container supporting elevator disposed within the receptacle, said elevator being secured to said handle terminal portion, an outlet spout secured to said receptacle and having a sharpened inner end overlying said elevator, pivoting movement of said handle raising said elevator for pressing a container against said sharpened end.

3. A creamer comprising a receptacle, a handle having inner and outer ends, the inner end of said handle being disposed within the receptacle and the outer end of the handle being disposed exteriorly of the receptacle, said handle being pivotally secured to said receptacle intermediate its ends, a container supporting elevator disposed within the receptacle and means operatively connecting the inner end of the handle to said elevator, an outlet spout secured to said receptacle and having a sharpened inner end disposed within the receptacle and overlying said elevator, pivoting movement of said handle lifting said elevator for pressing a container against the sharpened end of the outlet spout and looking means operatively connected to said handle and said receptacle for restraining the handle against pivoting movement when the elevator is in raised position.

4. A creamer comprising a receptacle, a handle pivoted to said receptacle and having a terminal portion extending into the interior of the receptacle, a container supporting elevator disposed within the receptacle, said elevator being secured to said handle terminal portion, an outlet spout secured to said receptacle and having a sharpened inner end overlying said elevator, pivoting movement of said handle raising said elevator for pressing a container against said sharpened end, said receptacle having a side wall opening therein invention, what is for inserting a container within the receptacle, 8. horizontally swinging closure closing said open- 5. A creamer comprising a receptacle including a side wall and top and bottom walls fixedly secured to said side wall, a handle pivoted intermediate its ends to the side wall of said receptacle, a container supporting elevator disposed within said receptacle and operatively connected to said handle, an outlet spout mounted on the top wall of said receptacle and including a sharpened inner end disposed within the receptacle, pivoting movement of said handle raising said elevator toward the outlet spout for piercing a container supported on the elevator against the inner end of the outlet spout.

6. A creamer comprising a receptacle including a side wall and top and bottom walls fixedly secured to said side wall, a handle pivoted intermediate its ends to the side wall of said receptacle, a container supporting elevator disposed within said receptacle and operatively connected to said handle, an outlet spout mounted on the top wall of said receptacle and including a sharpened inner end disposed within the receptacle, pivoting movement of said handle raising said elevator toward the outlet spout for piercing a container supported on the elevator against the inner end of the outlet spout and locking means operatively connecting said handle and receptacle for restraining the handle against pivoting movement and holding the elevator in a raised position.

'7. A creamer comprising a receptacle, a handle having inner and outer ends, the inner end of said handle being disposed within the receptacle and the outer end of the handle being disposed exteriorly of the receptacle, said handle being pivotally secured to said receptacle intermediate its ends, a container supporting elevator disposed within the receptacle and means operatively connecting the inner end of the handle to said elevator, an outlet spout secured to said receptacle and having a sharpened inner end disposed within the receptacle and overlying said elevator, pivoting movement of said handle lifting said elevator for pressing a container against the sharpened end of the outlet spout and locking means operatively connected to said handle and said receptacle for restraining the handle against pivoting movement when the elevator is in raised position, said container including a closed top and bottom and having a side wall opening for depositing containers on the elevator, a horizontally swinging closure secured to said receptacle for closing said side Wall opening.

8. A creamer comprising a receptacle, a handle having inner and outer ends, the inner end of said handle being disposed within the receptacle and the outer end of the handle being disposed exteriorly of the receptacle, said handle being pivotally secured to said receptacle intermediate its ends, a container supporting elevator disposed within the receptacle and means operatively connecting the inner end of the handle to said elevator, an outlet spout secured to said receptacle and having a sharpened inner end disposed within the receptacle and overlying said elevator, pivoting movement of said handle lifting said elevator for pressing a container against the sharpened end of the outlet spout and locking means operatively connected to said handle and said receptacle for restraining the handle against pivoting movement when the elevator is in raised position, said container including a closed top and bottom and having a side wall opening for depositing containers on the elevator, a horizontally swinging closure secured to said receptacle for closing said side wall opening, and a valve slidably mounted within the top of said receptacle for opening and closing said outlet spout.

9. A creamer comprising a receptacle, a handle having inner and outer ends, the inner end of said handle being disposed within the receptacle and the outer end of the handle being disposed exteriorly of the receptacle, said handle being pivotally secured to said receptacle intermediate its ends, a container supporting elevator disposed Within the receptacle and means operatively connecting 1e inner end of the handle to said elevator, an outlet spout secured to said receptacle and having a sharpened inner end disposed within the receptacle and overlying said elevator, pivoting movement of said handle lifting said elevator for pressing a container against the sharpened end of the outlet spout and locking means operatively connected to said handle and said receptacle for restraining the handle against pivoting movement when the elevator is in raised position, said elevator "comprising a flat base plate and vertical standards secured to said base plate, the upper ends of said standards being inwardly bent for overlying a container supported on the base plate.

10. A creamer comprising a receptacle, a handle having inner and outer ends, the inner end of said handle being disposed within the receptacle and the outer end of the handle being disposed exteriorly of the receptacle, said handle being pivotally secured to said receptacle intermediate its ends, a container supporting elevator disposed within the receptacle and means operatively connecting the inner end of the handle to said elevator, an outlet spout secured to said receptacle and having a sharpened inner end disposed within the receptacle and overlying said elevator, pivoting movement of said handle lifting said elevator for pressing a container against the sharpened end of the outlet spout and locking means operatively connected to said handle and said receptacle for restraining the handle against pivoting movement when the elevator is in raised position, said elevator comprising a flat base plate and vertical standards secured to said base plate, the upper ends of said standards being inwardly bent for overlying a container supported on the base plate, said operatively connecting means comprising a yoke member secured at its Web to the inner end of said handle, the ends of said yoke member being pivotally secured to said vertical standards.

11. A creamer comprising a receptacle, a handle having inner and outer ends, the inner end of said handle being disposed within the receptacle and the outer end of the handle being disposed eXteriorly of the receptacle, said handle being pivotally secured to said receptacle intermediate its ends, a container supporting elevator disposed within the receptacle and means operatively connecting the inner end of the handle to said elevator, an outlet spout secured to said receptacle and having a sharpened inner end disposed within the receptacle and overlying said elevator, pivoting movement of said handle lifting said elevator for pressing a container against the sharpened end of the outlet spout and locking means operatively connected to said handle and said receptacle for restraining the handle against pivoting movement when the elevator is in raised position, said locking means including a shank secured at one end to the outer end of said handle and having a free end extending toward said receptacle, said receptacle having a recess formed therein adjacent the free end of said shank, said shank free end being frictionally engaged in said recess when the elevator isin raised position.

CLAUDE C. CRJIPEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,475,903 Urtasum Nov. 27, 1923 2,033,151 Ramsey Mar. 10, 1936 2,160,976 Mirati June 6, 1939 2,246,419 Luce June 17, 1941 2,305,457 Hagan Dec. 8, 1942 2,499,259 Prickett Feb. 28, 1950 2,589,890 Stoecker Mar. 18, 1952 

